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Miss Washington
Formation1926
TypeBeauty pageant
HeadquartersPuyallup
Location
MembershipMiss America
Official language
English
Key people
Peggy Miller (Executive Director)
WebsiteOfficial website

The Miss Washington competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Washington in the Miss America pageant.

Hermona Girmay of Seattle was crowned Miss Washington 2024 on July 6, 2024, at the Capital High School Performing Arts Center in Olympia. She will compete for the title of Miss America 2025.

History

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Washington first sent delegates to Miss America in 1926 with Leona Fengler, Miss Seattle. She was sponsored by the Seattle Times newspaper, a practice common in the early days of Miss America pageants. She was pictured in the paper leaving in a biplane for her cross-country flight to Atlantic City, where she was voted "Prettiest Girl in an Evening Gown."[citation needed] In 1987, Fendler was featured again in the newly-revived Miss Seattle Pageant.[citation needed]

The Depression and war years caused sporadic participation by Washington contestants in the Miss America pageant, but the Miss Washington pageant was revived in 1948 and held in Ephrata, with a $1000 scholarship offered to the winner.[1] In 1949 the pageant was a "financial flop" and the winner had to seek community donations to fund her appearance at Miss America. At the time the organization was so deeply in debt that the titleholder's tiara was nearly repossessed by the manufacturer.[2][3][4]

From 1961 to 1997 the pageant was hosted by Vancouver, under a number of executive directors before moving to the Tri-Cities under the directorship of Chamber President, Dorothy Schoeppach. Under the direction of Schoeppach the local programs again grew from 9 to 22.[citation needed] Two years later the pageant moved to Tacoma under the directorship of Joan Dehn and Mike Shinkle.[citation needed]

The competition was held in Renton or Des Moines, WA beginning in 2008 under the directorship of Charlie VanTramp and then Peggy Miller and Patti Belik, except for 2021, which was held at Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, WA, due to pandemic restrictions.[citation needed] . In 2023, the competition as well as all of its annual events moved to the Capital High School Performing Arts Center in Olympia.

The Miss Washington Scholarship Organization is a 501(c)4 organization, and its scholarship arm, MWSO Miracle, Inc. is a 501(c)3, where donations are tax deductible.[5][6]

[edit]
  • Evelyn Atkinson, Miss Washington 1922
    Evelyn Atkinson,
    Miss Washington 1922
  • Dorothy Parker, Miss Washington 1938
    Dorothy Parker,
    Miss Washington 1938
  • Susan Buckner, Miss Washington 1971
    Susan Buckner,
    Miss Washington 1971
  • Laurie Nelson, Miss Washington 1978
    Laurie Nelson,
    Miss Washington 1978
  • Elyse Umemoto, Miss Washington 2007
    Elyse Umemoto,
    Miss Washington 2007

Results summary

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Following is a visual summary of the results of Miss Washington titleholders at the national Miss America pageants/competitions. The year in parentheses indicates the year of the national competition during which a placement and/or award was garnered, not the year attached to the contestant's state title.

Placements

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  • 2nd runners-up: Anna Mae Schoonover (1939), Sharon Vaughn (1960), Sharon Rogers (1983), Elyse Umemoto (2008)
  • 3rd runners-up: Honey Castro (1986), Jacquie Brown (2011), Alicia Cooper (2017)
  • 4th runners-up: Laurie Nelson (1979)
  • Top 10: Lauren Waddleton (1965), Susan Buckner (1972), Leslie Mays (1974), Kathleen Moore (1975), Doris Hayes (1981), Jennifer Wall (1990), SoYoung Kwon (1992), Kristen Eddings (2007), Mandy Schendel (2013)
  • Top 15: Leona Natalia Fengler (1926), Amanda Beers (2003), Danamarie McNicholl (2019)
  • Top 16: Karlyne Abele (1951)
  • Top 18: Gladine Sweetser (1933)

Awards

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Preliminary awards

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Non-finalist awards

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  • Non-finalist Interview: Fianna Dickson (2004)
  • Non-finalist Talent: Mardi Hagen (1964), Kippy Lou Brinkman (1966), Kristine Weitz (1982), Brittney Henry (2012)

Other awards

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Winners

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  •   Declared as winner
  •   Ended as a runner-up
  •   Ended as a finalist or semi-finalist
Year Name Hometown Age Local Title Miss America Talent Placement at Miss America Special scholarships at Miss America Notes
2024 Hermona Girmay Seattle 23 Miss Seattle TBA TBA
2023 Vanessa Munson Battle Ground 23 Miss Clark County Preliminary Evening Gown winner, Miss Washington 2023.
2022 Regan Gallo Puyallup 23 Miss Pierce County Dance Previously Top 10 at Miss Washington's Outstanding Teen 2016.

Third Runner Up at Miss Washington Volunteer 2022

2021 Maddie Louder[7] Seattle 23 Miss Emerald City Dance Competed at Miss Oklahoma 2018 and 2019

Later became Miss Washington Volunteer 2024

2019–20 Abbie Kondel[8] Brush Prairie 21 Miss Clark County Power Tap Dance, "Sax" by Fleur East First Runner Up at Miss Washington 2018. Top 10 at Miss Washington 2017.
2018 Danamarie McNicholl[9] Spokane 23 Miss Columbia Basin Piano, "Curse of the Black Pearl" from Pirates of the Caribbean Top 15[10] First Runner Up at Miss Washington 2017. Competed at Miss Washington 2016.
2017 Nicole Renard[11] Kennewick 22 Miss Rainier Jazz Dance, "I Love Me" by Meghan Trainor Previously Miss Washington's Outstanding Teen 2011[12]

Previously Distinguished Young Woman of America 2013[13]

Semi Finalist at Miss California 2016

2016 Alicia Cooper[14] Vancouver 21 Miss Clark County Tap Dance, "Let's Get Loud" by Jennifer Lopez 3rd runner-up[14] 1st runner-up at Miss Washington's Outstanding Teen 2011 pageant[15]

Third Runner up and Preliminary Swimsuit Winner at Miss Washington 2014. Top 10 at Miss Washington 2013.

2015 Lizzi Jackson[16] Bellingham 23 Miss Rainier Vocal, "This Will Be An Everlasting Love" STEM Scholarship Award Previously competed at Miss Washington 2014
2014 Kailee Dunn Kennewick 22 Miss Spokane Vocal, "Someone Like You" from Jekyll & Hyde Previously competed at Miss Washington 2012 and 2013.
2013 Reina Almon[17] Yakima 21 Miss Evergreen Vocal, "I (Who Have Nothing)" Previously Miss Washington's Outstanding Teen 2009[18]

First Runner Up at Miss Washington 2012 and Contestant at National Sweetheart 2012 pageant
2012 Mandy Schendel Newcastle 22 Miss Eastside Vocal, "My Wish" Top 10 Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award

Quality of Life Award Finalist 		Was chosen 16th as the "Judges Choice" during the televised Miss America 2013 pageant

Previously Miss Washington Teen USA 2008

2nd runner-up at Miss Washington USA 2012 pageant[citation needed]
2011 Brittney Henry Puyallup 24 Miss Eastside Fiddle, "Celtic Fiddle Medley" Non-finalist Talent Award First Runner Up at Miss Washington 2010 and Contestant at National Sweetheart 2010 pageant
2010 Jacquie Brown Vancouver 21 Miss Greater Vancouver Vocal, "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" 3rd runner-up
2009 Devanni Partridge Auburn 20 Miss Seattle Piano, "Malagueña"
2008 Janet Harding Yelm 21 Miss Tahoma Piano
2007 Elyse Umemoto Wapato 23 Miss Seattle Popular Vocal, "Angels" 2nd runner-up[19][20] First Runner Up at Miss Washington 2006 and 3rd runner-up at National Sweetheart 2006 pageant

Contestant on Survivor: South Pacific
2006 Kristen Eddings Silverdale 22 Miss Kitsap Vocal, "For Once in My Life" Top 10 Competed for Miss Washington 2002
2005 Tina Mares Lynnwood 25 Miss Sno-isle Classical Piano, "Nocturne in C-sharp minor" by Chopin
2004 Allison Porter Tacoma 24 Miss Seattle Classical Violin, "Concerto in E Minor"
2003 Fianna Dickson Spokane 24 Miss Spokane Jazz Dance, "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive" Non-finalist Interview Award Contestant at National Sweetheart 2000 pageant
2002 Amanda Beers Richland 20 Miss Tri-Cities Classical Piano, "Sonata Opus 31" by Beethoven Top 15
2001 Breann Parriott Puyallup 23 Miss Pierce County Contemporary Ballet en Pointe, Music from West Side Story Later Miss Washington USA 2003
2000 Semmelle Ford Tacoma 19 Classical Vocal, "Art Is Calling for Me" from The Enchantress by Victor Herbert
1999 Tina Willis 20 Vocal, "Remember Me"
1998 Mariana Loya[21] 19 Classical Violin, "Concerto in E Minor" Miss America Scholar Later Miss Arizona USA 2005
1997 Monta Monique Pasco 24 Miss Seattle Classical Piano, "Rigoletto Paraphrase" by Franz Liszt
1996 Janet Reasons Port Orchard 22 Miss Pierce County Semi-classical Vocal, "Half a Moment" from By Jeeves
1995 Amber Hamilton Auburn 18 Miss Auburn Jazz Dance, "Last Dance"
1994 Annalee Klein Enumclaw 24 Miss SeaTac Country Vocal, "Sweet Dreams"
1993 Teri Ann Plante Normandy Park 22 Miss Whatcom County Tap Dance
1992 Colleen Kearney Bellevue 26 Miss Issaquah Jazz Piano, "Dizzy Fingers" by Zez Confrey
1991 SoYoung Kwon Olympia 22 Miss Seattle Classical Piano, "Mephisto Waltz" Top 10
1990 Lynnae Thurik Lake Oswego, Oregon 26 Miss Clark County Classical Piano
1989 Jennifer Wall[22] Issaquah 20 Miss Issaquah Piano, "Opus 706" by Carl Wilhelm Kern Top 10
1988 Talia Watland Poulsbo 24 Miss Seattle Vocal, "Pour on the Power"
1987 Sharon Dean Issaquah 21 Miss Issaquah Vocal Medley
1986 Melanie Cobb Vancouver 24 Miss Clark County Vocal, "Let's Hear It For Me" from Funny Lady
1985 Honey Castro[23] Moses Lake 19 Miss Moses Lake Vocal, "What Did I Have I Don't Have Now" from On a Clear Day You Can See Forever 3rd runner-up[24] Dr. David B. Allman Medical Scholarship
1984 Rebecca Wood Spokane 21 Miss Greater Tacoma Vocal, "If I Ruled the World"
1983 Jennifer Havlin[25] Bellingham 24 Miss Whatcom County Character Ballet, "On Golden Pond"
1982 Monica Hard Bellevue 23 Miss Burien Vocal Medley, "Sweet Inspiration" & "Where You Lead"
1981 Kristine Weitz Moses Lake 19 Miss Tri-Cities Jazz Vocal, "Summertime" Preliminary Swimsuit Award

Non-finalist Talent Award
1980 Doris Hayes Tacoma 20 Miss Pierce County Jazz Vocal, "Love Is Here to Stay" Top 10 Preliminary Talent Award (tie) First African American preliminary winner[26]
1979 Janelle Martz Normandy Park 22 Miss Des Moines Classical Piano, "Piano Concerto in A Minor" by Edvard Grieg
1978 Laurie Nelson[27] Gig Harbor 19 Miss Pierce County Vocal, "Have I Stayed Too Long At the Fair?" 4th runner-up
1977 Natasha Solovjev Burien 19 Miss Burien Classical Piano, Piano Concerto No. 1 by Tchaikovsky
1976 Theresa Adams Wenatchee 19 Miss Greater Wenatchee Classical Piano, "Prelude in G minor" by Rachmaninoff Assumed to the title after Lambert resigned
Sharon Lambert Tacoma Miss Pierce County Unable to compete; later resigned after facing a shoplifting charge[28]
1975 Lee Ann Hibbert Shoreline 22 Miss Northshore Vocal / Jazz Improvisation, "That's a Fine Kind O' Freedom"
1974 Charlene Myers Burien Miss Burien Did not compete; originally 1st runner-up, later assumed the title after Moore resigned
Kathleen Moore Bothell 22 Miss Northshore Classical Vocal, "Italian Street Song" Top 10 Later resigned
1973 Leslie Mays Mercer Island 23 Miss Bellevue Jazz Dance, "The 'In' Crowd" Top 10 Preliminary Swimsuit Award[29]
1972 Rebecca Pozzi Kent 20 Miss Kent Vocal Medley, "Consider Yourself" & "I'd Do Anything"
1971 Susan Buckner Burien 19 Miss Burien Gymnastics Dance, "The Joker" Top 10 Preliminary Swimsuit Award Played Patty Simcox in the film, Grease[citation needed]
1970 Nancy Peterson Moses Lake 19 Miss Moses Lake Original Comedy Monologue, "Once Upon a Leaf"
1969 Marsha Covey 19 Vocal Medley, "Love Come Again" & "That's Life"
1968 Joyce Stepanek Issaquah 20 Miss Issaquah Comedy Routine, "The Adventures of Huck Finn"
1967 Lynda Kilp White Center 19 Miss White Center Vocal Medley, "One Boy" & "A Lot of Livin To Do" from Bye Bye Birdie
1966 Sandra Marth Centralia 19 Miss Lewis County Semi-classical Vocal, "Habanera"
1965 Kippy Lou Brinkman Richland 21 Miss Seattle Harp & Tap Dance, "Night and Day" Non-finalist Talent Award
1964 Lauren Waddleton[30] Burien 19 Miss Burien Vocal, "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady Top 10
1963 Mardi Hagen Tacoma Miss Seattle Modern & Classical Character Dance Non-finalist Talent Award
1962 Susan English Bellevue 19 Miss Bellevue Dramatic Reading
1961 Gail Hannuk Aberdeen 18 Miss Grays Harbor Piano, "Warsaw Concerto"
1960 Connie Hughes Bellingham 18 Miss Bellingham Original Monologue
1959 Sharon Vaughn[31] Port Orchard 21 Miss South Kitsap Vocal Medley, "Habanera" & "I Cain't Say No" 2nd runner-up Preliminary Swimsuit Award[32]
1958 Anne Henderson Spokane Miss Spokane Pantomime & Charleston Dance
1957
No Washington representative at Miss America pageant[33]
1956 Deanna Hall Olympia Dance
1955
No Washington representative at Miss America pageant[34]
1954 Frances Graham Spokane Vocal
1953 Geraldine Lindsey Seattle Vocal
1952
No Washington representative at Miss America pageant[35]
1951 Darlene Shaffer[36] Seattle Dress Design
1950 Karlyne Abele[37] Des Moines Dramatic Reading, "The Flag" Top 16
1949 Libby Aldrich Kelso Vocal, "Stormy Weather"
1948 Lorraine Lowder Aberdeen Miss Grays Harbor Hula dance
1947
No Washington representative at Miss America pageant[38][39][40][41][42][43][44]
1946
1945
1944
1943
1942
1941
1940 Peggy Mason Tacoma
1939 Anna Mae Schoonover Seattle Dramatic Monologue from Accent on Youth 2nd runner-up
1938
No Washington representative at Miss America pageant[45]
1937 Juliana Bernhardt Seattle Miss Seattle Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
1936
No Washington representative at Miss America pageant[46][47]
1935
1934
No national pageant was held[48]
1933 Gladine Sweetser Seattle 22 Top 18
1932
No national pageants were held[48]
1931
1930
1929
1928
1927 Eleanor Maddieux Seattle Miss Seattle Multiple Washington representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Eva King Spokane Miss Spokane
1926 Leona Fengler Seattle Miss Seattle Top 15 Multiple Washington representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Gloria Smith Spokane Miss Spokane
Dorothy Rothermell Tacoma Miss Tacoma
1925 Evelyn Carman Seattle Miss Seattle Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
1924
No Washington representative at Miss America pageant[49][50]
1923
1922 Evelyn Atkinson[51] Seattle Miss Seattle Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
1921
No Washington representative at Miss America pageant[52]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Ephrata greets state beauties". The Spokesman-Review. 1948-06-23.
  2. ^ "Miss Washington's Crown in Danger". Eugene Register-Guard. 1949-08-29.
  3. ^ "Kelso-Longview affair to help Miss Washington". Ellensburg Daily Record. 1949-08-30.
  4. ^ "Miss Washington Winners to Get Fine Scholarships". 1949-08-11.
  5. ^ "Miss Washington Pageant to Change Site".
  6. ^ "Despite loss, Miss Tri-Cities eager to cheer on new Miss Washington". Tri City Herald. 2000-07-04.
  7. ^ Molina, Emily (2021-07-07). "Maddie Louder Crowned as Miss Washington". 425 Magazine. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  8. ^ Hewitt, Scott (July 1, 2019). "Miss Clark County new Miss Washington". The Columbian.
  9. ^ "KREM 2's Danamarie McNicholl crowned Miss Washington 2018". KREM 2. July 1, 2018.
  10. ^ Serpico, Erin (September 8, 2018). "Miss New York crowned Miss America 2019 in Atlantic City". Press of Atlantic City.
  11. ^ "Photos: Meet Nicole Renard, our new Miss Washington!". Seattle Refined. July 2, 2017.
  12. ^ Probert, Cameron (July 21, 2017). "Kennewick native earns Miss Washington crown". Tri-City Herald.
  13. ^ "Meet Nicole Renard, Distinguished Young Woman of America 2013". AL.com. June 30, 2013.
  14. ^ a b Mathieu, Stevie (September 11, 2016). "Alicia Cooper of Clark County third runner-up for Miss America". The Columbian.
  15. ^ "Miss Washington's Outstanding Teen 2011 Crowning" (video). krzy4krs. February 26, 2012 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ Barksdale, Dave (July 4, 2015). "Lizzi Jackson is crowned Miss Washington 2015" (video). Miss Washington Scholarship Organization – via Vimeo.
  17. ^ Hoang, Mao (July 16, 2013). "Yakima native crowned Miss Washington". Yakima Herald.
  18. ^ "West Valley's Reina Almon ready to take national stage". Yakima Herald. July 12, 2013.
  19. ^ "Miss Washington is second runner-up for Miss America". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. 2008-01-28.
  20. ^ "Miss Washington snags 2nd runner-up spot". kimatv.com. 2008-01-28.
  21. ^ Culverwell, Wendy (1998-06-21). "Stunned Miss Pierce wins state title". Tri City Herald.
  22. ^ "Issaquah Woman is Miss Washington". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. June 23, 1989.
  23. ^ "Miss Washington Crowned". Spokane Daily Chronicle. 1985-06-24.
  24. ^ "Miss Washington is second runner-up for Miss America". Tri City Herald. August 15, 1985.
  25. ^ "Dancer Crowned Miss Washington". Spokane Chronicle. June 27, 1983.
  26. ^ "Miss Washington ties in pageant talent test". The Spokesman-Review. 1980-09-05.
  27. ^ "Gig Harbor Girl Miss Washington". Tri City Herald. Associated Press. 1978-06-25.
  28. ^ "Title Resigned". The Deseret News. July 12, 1976.
  29. ^ "Search for swimsuit pays off for Miss Washington". Tri City Herald. 1973-09-07.
  30. ^ "Seattle Miss Wins State's Beauty Title". Ellensburg Daily Record. 1964-07-20.
  31. ^ "Co-ed is Miss Washington". Spokane Daily Chronicle. 1959-05-11.
  32. ^ "3 Tie in Talent Competition of Miss America Contest". Toledo Blade. 1959-09-10.
  33. ^ "1958 Candidates". Miss America.
  34. ^ "1956 Candidates". Miss America.
  35. ^ "1953 Candidates". Miss America.
  36. ^ "Miss Washington is Ex-Idahoan". Spokesman-Review. 1951-08-01.
  37. ^ "Des Moines Miss is 1950 Miss Washington". Ellensburg Daily Record. August 8, 1950.
  38. ^ "1947 Candidates". Miss America.
  39. ^ "1946 Candidates". Miss America.
  40. ^ "1945 Candidates". Miss America.
  41. ^ "1944 Candidates". Miss America.
  42. ^ "1943 Candidates". Miss America.
  43. ^ "1942 Candidates". Miss America.
  44. ^ "1941 Candidates". Miss America.
  45. ^ "1938 Candidates". Miss America.
  46. ^ "1936 Candidates". Miss America.
  47. ^ "1935 Candidates". Miss America.
  48. ^ a b "Miss America Timeline: 1901–1950". PBS.
  49. ^ "1924 Candidates". Miss America.
  50. ^ "1923 Candidates". Miss America.
  51. ^ "Reporter, Dazzled by Beauty of Six Pageant Entrants - Sees Hard Job Ahead for Judges". The Indianapolis Times. Indianapolis, Indiana. September 5, 1922. p. 1.
  52. ^ "1921 Candidates". Miss America.
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